Ports & destinations

Huna Totem Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings break ground on Whittier, Alaska, port

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 13 October 2022 13 October 2022

The Alaska Native village corporation Huna Totem Corporation broke ground on an $80 million infrastructure project that will bring a second docking facility to the gateway of Prince William Sound, Whittier, Alaska. The privately funded project is being advanced through a partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and the Alaska Native corporation, a partnership that has proven success with its most recent collaboration at Icy Strait Point, Wilderness Landing.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day groundbreaking was intentional, with Huna Totem Corporation CEO and President Russell Dick reflecting, “The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act happened over 50 years ago, and when you consider its vision, it was about the opportunity for Alaska Native corporations to work collaboratively with the State of Alaska and municipalities to build economic opportunities for communities, for our shareholders, and for all Alaskans.”

The infrastructure project will include a cruise ship terminal and facilities for rail and bus service, with opportunities for retail, dining and even a cultural center. The dock will be built to be able to berth ships from all three of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, and Regent Seven Sea Cruises.

“We couldn’t be more proud to be here today, having seen some of those dreams come to fruition,” added Dick. “This is one of the best arrival experiences you’ll have in Alaska.”

The Mayor of Whittier Dave Dickason introduced the project as “the new future of Whittier.” Adding, “Huna Totem is an Alaska company that understands the values that Alaskans hold, and they’ve done a good job working to understand the complicated issues that we here in the city of Whittier are trying to overcome. This project is good for the city of Whittier and good for the State of Alaska.”

Port project partner, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings acknowledged its long history in the state and consumer interest to find new ways to develop representative experiences. “Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to Alaska goes back decades,” shared Norwegian Cruise Line Senior Vice President Juan Kuryla. “We were the first cruise line to sail to Alaska from Seattle. That commitment continues today here in Whittier and we could not be prouder to once again partner with Huna Totem. This project will expand sustainable tourism, providing guests with an authentic experience, which is very important to all of our passengers.”

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy participated in the groundbreaking, applauding the public-private with Huna Totem and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and the community of Whittier for, “having a vision for what they want to be as a community moving forward.”

“This $80 million project will create jobs, economic activity, and revenue for the City of Whittier. This is a smart phased development approach, over time it will add housing, hotel rooms, cruise berths, boat launches and harbor infrastructure.”

“This makes Whittier more than just a destination for our outside guests but also a destination for Alaskans that live in the region year-round.”

The Governor’s comments and participation at the groundbreaking further emphasized his ongoing support of tourism as an economic opportunity and driver for the State of Alaska. The Governor is widely recognized for assisting Alaska’s tourism program and providers, recently credited for being a leader in helping reopen cruising and championing the state as a must-visit destination for all travelers.

Whittier is a community of less than 300 year-round residents, about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage. Known for glacier and wildlife day cruises and fishing, the community currently receives Princess and Holland America cruise ships.

Lisbon Cruise Port won the award for "Europe's Leading Cruise Port for the eighth time

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 05 October 2022 05 October 2022

Lisbon Cruise Port (LCP), operated by Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, has been chosen as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the 8th time. The award ceremony took place in Mallorca on October 1st, 2022.

Lisbon Cruise Port continues to prove that it is the leading cruise port in the industry with its accomplishments. As the winner of 2022 WTA Europe’s Leading Cruise Port, LCP strengthens its position in Europe as a major port of call.

Duarte Cabral, Lisbon Cruise Port General Manager said: “We are delighted to once again be chosen as the “Europe’s Leading Cruise Port 2022” by World Travel Awards.” He continued: “This award represents the hard work of our team, as well as the strong collaboration between all of our stakeholders, namely the Port Authority and the cruise lines, who have contributed to this success.”

Following the pandemic, Lisbon Cruise Port has successfully picked its traffic back-up and expects to surpass its 2019 numbers. LCP has welcomed 220 ships and more 315K passengers until September 2022 and expects to close the season stronger than before.

Duarte Cabral commented: “As part of the world’s largest cruise port operator Global Ports Holding, Lisbon Cruise Port has continued to invest in the future and enhance the customer experience. We have great plans for the 2023 season, and we look forward to introducing these projects to both the cruise passengers and our local community in Lisbon.”

Lisbon Cruise Port serves as a transit port to all cruise lines travelling between the Atlantic Coast and Europe, West Med to Northern Europe and transatlantic voyages. With its award-winning terminal, Lisbon Cruise Port caters to the needs of both transit and turnaround passengers, offering variety of services to the cruise ships.

Barbados to benefit from the largest ever TUI UK winter 2022/23 program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 September 2022 28 September 2022

On Friday, August 19, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. the Hon. Lisa Cummins, announced that TUI UK will increase flight capacity to Barbados for the Winter 2022/23 season, soaring above the levels of their last full Winter season to reach over 54,000 planned seats. Cummins noted that this extended program reconfirms TUI UK’s commitment to Barbados and underpins their confidence that Barbados is a key destination for UK holidaymakers.

“We are pleased with the news that TUI UK will increase their Barbados program for the 2022/23 winter season. From the additional flight capacity and extended schedule to the homeporting of two of their largest cruise ships, and new hotel partners, the sheer size of this expansion underpins TUI UK’s confidence in Barbados,” she said.

Increased flight capacity

TUI, who previously chartered seven flights per week to Barbados, has increased this to eight weekly flights to cater to the growing demand. Six of these weekly charter flights will depart from Birmingham, London Gatwick, and Manchester airports, as well as two ‘Rover’ flights which will depart from various UK airports weekly. The extra flights boost capacity above TUI UK's previous full Winter season, bringing total capacity to nearly 54,000 seats for Winter 2022/23.

Larger cruise ships and extended schedule for winter

“For the Winter 2022/23 season, TUI has not only increased their presence in Barbados from one to two cruise ships, but to two of their largest cruise ships at that: Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Discovery,” Cummins said. “And what’s special is that this is not an air-to-sea charter, but has evolved to incorporate a dedicated land-based program for Barbados.”

And for the first time, both ships will homeport in Barbados and will operate a total of 40 sailing rotations until April 2023, adding a month of additional cruising to the previous season, which ended in March.

The Marella Explorer 2, with a capacity of 1,850 passengers, will operate weekly on Sundays, from November 20th to April 16th. The Marella Discovery will operate weekly on Thursdays from December 22nd to April 20th, with a capacity of 1,800 passengers.

Increased Barbadian hotel partners

TUI UK has also increased their number of hotel partners, now supporting the majority of Barbados A class and B class hotels. This will cater to the approximately 30 percent of their customers who will book their entire holiday in Barbados and those booking pre and post cruise.

Tremendous growth with TUI over 11 years

Director of UK and Ireland for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Cheryl Carter, welcomed the announcement, saying “We are thrilled that this relationship which began in 2011, continues to flourish and we hope to continue to build on this by developing further opportunities in the future. We look forward to welcoming even more UK and Irish holidaymakers to our island through TUI UK.”

Carter added that since the inception of the program with TUI UK 11 years ago, Barbados has seen a 189% growth in cruise passengers. The program started in winter 2011/2012 with only one vessel and has now grown to incorporate a number of hotels and offer extensive pre and post cruise destination experiences in Barbados.

Cruise goers can discover the best of the Caribbean with a choice of six incredible TUI Cruise itineraries that start and finish in Barbados’ beautiful capital city of Bridgetown.

Capital Cruising welcomes 100th cruise ship this season as Emerald Princess sails into South Queensferry

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 28 September 2022 28 September 2022

The Emerald Princess sailed up the River Forth into South Queensferry this week marking the 100th cruise call for Capital Cruising which welcomes cruise liners into its ports in Leith, Rosyth, Dundee and deep-water anchorages at Newhaven and South Queensferry.

Rob Mason, Head of Cruise for Capital Cruising in Scotland said: “Cruise is back in full swing and today’s Emerald Princess’ visit into South Queensferry marks our 100th cruise call which is an important milestone for our 2022 cruise season. The cruise business is a major economic boost for Scotland and the local areas where the liners call, with many local businesses and attractions benefitting from the tourism spend. We have welcomed 25 inaugural visits from cruise liners this year across our ports and anchorages in Scotland and across our Group we are expecting to welcome nearly 200 cruise vessels which is encouraging news as people return to cruise.”

Earlier this year Capital Cruising hosted the prestigious Cruise Europe Conference with around 200 influential cruise executives from around the world attending the largest cruise event ever to be held in Edinburgh. Scotland is a major draw for the cruise market, Edinburgh in particular is a ‘must-see’.

Sustainable development project for Las Palmas cruise ports

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations; Published: 15 September 2022 15 September 2022

Global Ports Holding Plc, the world’s largest cruise port operator, and its local partner SEPCAN S.L., together with the Las Palmas Port Authority has revealed its plans for its Las Palmas Project at Seatrade Cruise Med held in Malaga, Spain.

On August 22nd, Global Ports Holding had announced the completion of the concession agreement of 3 ports in the Canary Islands: Las Palmas, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote Cruise Ports through Global Ports Canary Islands S.L. (“GPCI”), an 80:20 joint venture between GPH and our local partner Sepcan S.L. GPCI will start operations of the three cruise ports in October 2022, ahead of the peak winter season, with over 650 scheduled calls in Las Palmas, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura together.

Global Ports Holding hosted the Las Palmas Project Reveal presentation and cocktail on September 14th at its booth at the Seatrade Cruise Med where the cruise industry executives were in attendance. Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado, Luis Ibarra, President of Las Palmas Port Authority, Mehmet Kutman GPH Chairman and CEO and Javier Rodríguez Sánchez, GPH Regional Director West Med & Asia introduced the official project during the event. GPH, together with its local partner Sepcan has revealed its plans for the 3 ports in the Canary Islands with an investment of €40 million.

Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado (the Spanish Ports National Board) said: “The cruise sector is one of the reference traffic in Spanish ports of general interest. It has been consolidated over the years, today having some of the European ports of reference for cruise ships, such as the Port of Las Palmas.”

Luis Ibarra, Las Palmas Port Authority President said: “In the last decade, the Port Authority of Las Palmas has invested 45 million euros in infrastructure for cruise operations and a further 20 million euros is planned up to 2026. We have reinforced competitiveness and quality in the provision of port services for the demanding cruise traffics. The common project of Global Ports Holding and Ports of Las Palmas is a great development born out of determination, commitment and professionalism”.

Mehmet Kutman, GPH Chairman and CEO highlighted the importance of the Project for GPH: “Spain has always been an important country for GPH as it has been the milestone of its expansion into the international cruise markets. With our local partner Sepcan group, we look forward to work in partnership with Port Authority of Las Palmas and all stakeholders for this project ”

Javier Rodríguez Sánchez, GPH Regional Director West Med & Asia said “Today, we are delighted to reveal our latest project of 3 ports in the Canaries. The Las Palmas project is a proof of our continued efforts in sustainability and shows our commitment not only to social benefits but our care for the environment. We look forward to enhance guest experience and cruise operations with the local expertise and global knowledge in the Canaries and we also look forward to continue working in our expansion projects in the region.”

The project features a new sustainable terminal building and infrastructure improvement in the Las Palmas Cruise Port. The project includes a 14,400m2 terminal build from sustainable recycled materials to achieve low carbon footprint that will be able to provide smoother homeporting and transit operations at one of the busiest ports in Spain. Operational by 2024 cruise season, Las Palmas Cruise Port, with an ability to handle the largest cruise ships in the world simultaneously, will have new retail and F&B experiences, 40 bus capacity and an improved operational structure.

Las Palmas ports has increased the number of ports of GPH in Spain to 7. As the third busiest cruise destination in Spain, Las Palmas located in East-Mid Atlantic at the Canaries. A popular destination for winter cruising thanks to the archipelago’s mild climate, its major cruise port, Las Palmas is also a year-round destination thanks to its international air connections. With its sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise waters, Las Palmas brings together culture scenery.